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Witold Posted 23 years ago
Grammar
English classic litterature - some uncommon grammatical construction
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would immensely appreciate your help on the following use of the grammatical construction "such ..... as" as used by Jane Austen in her book titled "Persuasion", chapter 7 3rd paragraph:
"His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the back, as roused the most alarming ideas."
Isn't this use of "such ..... as" weird ? Or is it just a figure used in litterary english only ?
I would expect a subject to be placed after as i.e. "as it roused" or an infinitive construction with "as to rouse". Could someone give me a qualified answer ?
Many thanks,
Witold
I would immensely appreciate your help on the following use of the grammatical construction "such ..... as" as used by Jane Austen in her book titled "Persuasion", chapter 7 3rd paragraph:
"His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the back, as roused the most alarming ideas."
Isn't this use of "such ..... as" weird ? Or is it just a figure used in litterary english only ?
I would expect a subject to be placed after as i.e. "as it roused" or an infinitive construction with "as to rouse". Could someone give me a qualified answer ?
Many thanks,
Witold
Top answer
It would be great to have the whole paragraph. Do you think you could post it here?
- It would be great to have the whole paragraph.
- Do you think you could post it here?
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7 Answers
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It would be great to have the whole paragraph. Do you think you could post it here?
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Sure. I didn't do it because I am convinced it does not clarify anything. But of course since you ask for it .... and besides this is really fine classic litterature:
"Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility, and she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she afterwards learn
"Captain Wentworth made a very early return to Mr Musgrove's civility, and she was all but calling there in the same half hour. She and Mary were actually setting forward for the Great House, where, as she afterwards learn
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Hi Witold, welcome to the forums.
We would, of course, write it thus: (these days)
"His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the back, gave rise to the most alarming ideas."
It is a classic example of the changes English has undergone..
We would, of course, write it thus: (these days)
"His collar-bone was found to be dislocated, and such injury received in the back, gave rise to the most alarming ideas."
It is a classic example of the changes English has undergone..
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Yes, the "as to rouse" is probably what we would do today. But the construction makes sense. It's just a little out of date.
Also, isn't it interesting to note the commas, folks? We wouldn't do that today! You know, it would be really interesting to do a study of the evolution of comma usage, eh?
Also, isn't it interesting to note the commas, folks? We wouldn't do that today! You know, it would be really interesting to do a study of the evolution of comma usage, eh?
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Also, as a side note, perhaps you ought to know that "literature" is spelled with only one "t."
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Well, thank you for this side comment. A reminder is always welcome.
The idea behind my submitting this grammatical construction was in fact to try to absorb such construction into my language (I am perfecting my English, am not a native speaker) by deducting a grammatic rule from this use.
But maybe I shouldn't try to learn late 19th century english grammar ? What's your opinion
The idea behind my submitting this grammatical construction was in fact to try to absorb such construction into my language (I am perfecting my English, am not a native speaker) by deducting a grammatic rule from this use.
But maybe I shouldn't try to learn late 19th century english grammar ? What's your opinion
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